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Download meter offers advanced monitoring of WiFi and GPRS/3G usage. If you want to keep track of your usage and need more than the basic usage counter included in the iPhone then Download Meter is the app for you.

One of the most common questions we get asked is how to monitor data usage to avoid being overcharged and until now we haven’t had the answer enter Download Meter. The options are pretty self explanatory but includes a well written tutorial that cover the basic and advanced features should you need any guidance.

The first screen offers a quick overview of your GPRS/3G usage in the top box and WiFi usage below. There are then separate tabs for each type and both are fully customisable. The default GPRS view offers:

Total usage today
MB since previous launch
Total MB this month
Total MB all time
Total MB since last reboot

You can even create your own usage criteria, with advanced options to include upstream, downstream or both, usage count based on daily, weekly or monthly, your included usage limit ie 500mb or 1000mb and you can even set the date your usage resets so you know exactly how much you have used during each billing period and make sure you don’t go over. Potentially saving serious money from overcharges for example Tesco charge £4 per MB over your usage so if you unknowingly reached your included usage limit then uploaded a 5mb photo you could be hit with an unexpected charge of £20 on top of your usual bill!

Verdict: if you want to keep track of your usage and avoid unexpected large bills Download meter is an absolute must and for this reason we consider DM an essential app and reward it 5/5.